34 - voice/action;

[stilldontgotit]

[Well, look who's back in town! Indeed, it seems that Riku's lost a good five or six inches, but judging by the fact that he's already got his regular attire, has a black cloak slumped over his shoulder, and his journal in one hand, it seems he's already well aware of what's going on.

In fact, he's headed right in the direction of the smithy! But as he walks, he lets out a sigh.]

What a mess...

[He stops for a moment, quietly looking into the journal. With another sigh, he continues to speak. Might as well get it over with now--]

Hey. Sora, Kairi... Looks like the Malnosso haven't had enough of me yet.

[And after another short pause:]

I've probably got a lot of explaining to do. Xion... we need to talk. At least, if you'll let me.

[And with that said, he continues heading to the smithy. His sword has to be there somewhere.

Those who cross paths with him are free to interrupt him, of course, and those who can sense light and darkness may find an alarming amount of the latter inside his heart.]

Comments

[markofthewise]

[It's kind of lonely at the smithy. Sure, Winry is around, but without Edward? Who does he get to bug? Just Winry. And that's no good. Well actually, there is one thing he gets to do. And that's puzzle over this new, freaky looking weapon that showed up this morning. Way back in the work area, away from the weapons display area in the front, Sokka is playing around with the freakish sword, trying to figure out what it's used for.

Eventually he discovers it's just a really weird back scratcher, which is what he's using it for now.]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[Sokka, are you serious?

Yeah, once Riku spots him, he's giving him a deadpan look.]

Hey, Sokka. Mind if you stop using my sword as a back scratcher?

[markofthewise]

[Sokka looks up from the stool he's sitting on. Something seems off about Riku, then he realizes what that is. He holds out the oddly ornate back scratcher. Riku actually called this a sword.]

This is a sword? [He then looks up and gives Riku a look.] Edward made this, didn't he? That guy really gets carried away with his designs...

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head, reaching for the Soul Eater. In truth, he's not quite sure of its origins.]

Nobody made it.

[Not that he knows of, anyway.]

I've had it for the past few months-- at least, before I came back here.

[Hold on, he's tucking the journal beneath his arm.]

[markofthewise]

[Well, it's not much use to Sokka, he just hands it over. But one thing stands out...]

Came back? [You left?]

[action]

[gravity-splode.livejournal.com]

[aaaaand it's a Xigbar.]

Good mess or bad mess?

[action]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[...Hah. That's... ironic alright.]

Depends on how you look at it.

[action]

[gravity-splode.livejournal.com]

How are you looking at it?

[action]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[Xigbar really knows how to get to the point. In response, Riku shakes his head.]

I wouldn't exactly call it good. Between me leaving and what I had to deal with afterward, I got way more than I asked for. There's still a lot I have to fix back here, anyway.

But... it wasn't exactly bad either. Not completely, anyway.

[Voice]

[valorandwisdom.livejournal.com]

[CLATTERCRASHBANGWHAM.]

[...It's probably better not to ask.]

Riku?! Is that you?!

[Voice] //Threadjack (Mega tell me if this is okay, it just makes sense they'd be together)

[meteorical]

[There's the sound of Kairi saying something to Sora in the background before lunging at the journal that probably fell somewhere.] Of course it's Riku!

I think...Riku?

[Voice] THIS IS FINE. :D I approve

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[...Heh. It's weird, talking to his friends again so soon, and there's still a lot to say. But for now...

He'll just laugh at whatever noise Sora just made. Yep, it's still the same old Sora alright.]

Yeah, it's me.

[Voice] Wheeeeee!

[valorandwisdom.livejournal.com]

[It involved his sports ball collection, his desk chair, and a few books he thought he'd need for school. At least it wasn't anything breakable?]

Riku! [Big, big big grin going on now, can't you just hear it?] Heyyyy! You're back!

[personafalsify.livejournal.com]

[ Oh.

Oh hell.

Not even sure what to do here. That's worse than last time. There's even more darkness now.

... Familiar darkness. Like his own. Exactly like his own. It's too familiar. ]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[That scent...!

Let us assume this is after meeting Xig and Sokka for continuity's sake, in which case, he's totally ready to stand his ground against this bugger...

That has wings. He never did figure out why last time.]

[personafalsify.livejournal.com]

[ The only reason that Repliku is hesitating is because he knows he's weaker right now than he was before he turned into a Heartless, and even if the real one is weaker than he was (which if what Axel wasn't lying... he's not), it's still probably not enough for him to be able to hold his ground now.

But dammit, the urge to claw your heart out is a tempting one 8| He takes up a ready stance all the same. ]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[Riku's not going to attack right away. After all, he's kind of carrying a lot of stuff. Instead, he's watching carefully.]

[Voice]

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

That was a pretty fast trip.

[Voice]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Sure sounds like it. Just a few days, right?

[Voice]

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

That's right. I take it it's not the same for you?

[Voice]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

It's been months on my end.

[voice]

[fourteen]

... fine.

[ she says the word quietly, distantly, but without malice or anger. she just doesn't know what else to say. so ... go ahead, Riku. ]

[voice]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

I was selfish. What I said... I know it was wrong, and as mad as I was, that's still no excuse.

[He sighs.]

I know what the Keyblade means to you, and the fact that I wanted it for myself... you have every right to hate me because of it.

[voice]

[fourteen]

... I think I did hate you. Right at that moment, when I heard you say it. I've never hated anyone except Saix before.

[ a long pause ]

But I've never ... felt that way before. I had to find a dictionary and look up the word, because I wasn't sure what it was. Well, there were two words, actually. Bitter, and betrayed. I'm still not sure ... how I feel about it. Or how I'm supposed to feel.

[ another pause. she's really not even sure what point she's trying to make, right now. ] ... I don't hate you. Not right now.

[voice]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[That was... pretty brutal, but he honestly expected that. Betrayed, huh? He's not surprised. Not really.

What is surprising is that she doesn't hate him right now. It's enough to warrant a brief pause before he responds.]

I'm surprised. After what I said, I didn't think you'd talk to me in the first place.

It was just... rough. Between the experiment and my jealousy, I let my anger get the best of me, and I didn't think. And what I said about how it should've been mine? Heh... Somehow, I doubt me being the Keybearer would be such a bright idea. Not when I let my jealousy get the best of me.

[There's another pause.]

Besides, if Sora wasn't the Keybearer, then you and Roxas wouldn't exist. I... couldn't do that to you two. It's just not worth it.

Anyway, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you, just let me know. I don't want my selfishness to ruin things between us, but that's really up to you.